Personal Finance: a Gospel Perspective

Retirement Planning 4:Small Business,

Individual Retirement Plans

And Final Thoughts

 

Objectives

A. Understand Individual Retirement Accounts

B. Understand when converting to a Roth IRA makes sense

C. Understand retirement plans for the self-employed

Review: the Vehicle vs. the Engine

The investment vehicle is the legal framework. It is the wheels and frame that makes your retirement possible

• IRA, Keogh, 401(k), Roth IRA, 403(b), SEP-IRA Financial assets are the engines. These are what

drives your retirement vehicles.

• Stocks, bonds, annuities, mutual funds, index funds, ETFs (exchange traded funds), etc. are the assets

You can have as many vehicles as you can qualify for all investing in the same financial asset

• Understanding vehicles is critical

Taxable Assets Retirement Assets

1. Basics: Emergency Fund and Food Storage

Review Investing: The Hourglass Bottom

2. Core: Broad Market Index or Core Mutual Funds

3. Diversify: Broaden and Deepen your Asset Classes

4. Opportunistic: Individual Stocks and Sector Funds

Review: Priority of Money

1. Free money

• Money contributed by others, i.e. 401(k), 457 Plan, SIMPLE IRA, or 529 Plan

2. Tax-advantaged money

• A. Tax eliminated: Money put in after tax but taken out tax-free, i.e., Roth IRA, Education IRA

• B. Tax-deferred money: Money put in before tax with taxes deferred until you take it out at retirement, i.e., 401(k), 403(b), SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA

3. Tax-efficient and wisely invested money

• Money that is invested wisely in diversified, low-cost, low-turnover tax-efficient portfolios

A. Understand Individual Retirement Accounts

With the Taxpayer Relief act of 1997, there are now three major types of Individual Retirement Accounts:• Traditional IRA

• Roth IRA

• Education (or Coverdell) IRA

Other Types of IRAs

There are also additional types of IRAs: • Individual Retirement Annuity: set up with a life

insurance company through purchase of annuity contract

• Employer and Employee Association Trust Account: set up by employers, unions and associations

• Spousal IRA: An IRA funded by a married taxpayer in the name of their spouse

• Rollover IRA: A traditional IRA set up to receive a distribution from a qualified retirement plan

• Inherited IRA: An IRA acquired by the non-spousal beneficiary of a deceased IRA owner

1. The Traditional IRA

What is a traditional IRA?• An individual retirement account in which an

individual can contribute up to $4,000 annually which is tax-deferred. Eligibility and amounts depend on the contributors income level and whether they have other retirement plans.

Who can contribute to a traditional IRA and what is the maximum contribution?• Must be younger than 70 ½, have earned income or

be the spouse of someone with earned income

• Max contribution is $4,000 per year for 2005 ($4,500 if over age 50)

Traditional IRA (continued)

Benefits of a traditional IRA• The contribution is tax deductible and earnings

grow tax-deferred

• May deduct the full $4,000 contribution on income tax return if you are not in an employer sponsored plan (ESP) or you are in ESP but AGI is $53,000 or less if filing a joint return or $33,000 if single.

• Spouses not in an ESP may make deductible contributions up to $4,000 if joint AGI is $150,000 or less.

Traditional IRA (continued)

When can withdrawals be made?• After 59½ for whatever purpose

• Prior to 59½ withdrawals are subject to federal penalties (10%) and ordinary income taxes unless money is used for

• Qualified education expenses

• First time home purchase ($10,000)

• Death or disability

• Annuity payments

• Medical expenses > than 7.5% of AGI

• Federal law requires that you begin withdrawals by April 1st of the year after you reach 70½

2. The Roth IRA

What is a Roth IRA?• An individual retirement account which provides

no deduction for contributions but provides that all earnings and capital gains are tax free upon withdrawal after retirement

Who can Contribute to a Roth IRA?• Anyone, even if part of another ESP• Any age, even if you are over age 70½• Any amount, up to $3,000 in 2004 and rising

Roth IRA (continued)

What are the advantages of a Roth IRA?• You are actually investing more with a Roth, since

your investments are after-tax• Contributions can be withdrawn tax/penalty free• Earnings grow tax-freetax-free if the Roth IRA is in place

for at least 5 years, and you are 59 ½ years old• No requirement for distributions by age 70½

Disadvantages• You can have both a traditional and a Roth, but you

cannot exceed the yearly $4,000 limit in 2005• There are income limits for investing in a Roth• Earnings must be in place 5 years before they can

be withdrawn without penalty

Roth IRA (continued)

How do I make withdrawals from a Roth IRA?• Before age 59½ and Roth is held less than 5 years

• Earnings are subject to early withdrawal penalty (10%) plus income taxes, unless for death or disability

• Contributions can be withdrawn without penalty or tax

• After age 59½ and Roth is held for less than 5 years

• Earnings are subject to ordinary income tax

• Earnings are not subject to early withdrawal penalty

• Contributions can be withdrawn without penalty or tax

Roth IRA (continued)

Withdrawals from a Roth • Before age 59½ and Roth is held longer than 5 years

• Earnings are subject to ordinary income tax

• Earnings are subject to early withdrawal penalty (10%)

• Unless:

• Withdrawal is for first time home purchase ($10,000 max), or Death or Disability

• After age 59½ and Roth is held longer than 5 years

• All contributions & earnings can be withdrawn tax freetax free

• No required minimum withdrawals (versus a traditional IRA which requires minimum distributions at age 70 ½)

Roth IRA (continued)

Traditional and Roth IRA annual contribution limits will increase as follows:

RothYear Contribution Limit Catch Up

Contr.*

2004 $3,000 $500

2005 4,000 500

2006 4,000 1,000

2007 4,000 1,000

2008 5,000 1,000

2009 Indexed 1,000

* Catch up contribution is for those over age 50

3. The Education IRA

What is an Education IRA?• An investment vehicle for planning for the future

cost of a child's education.

• The plan allows total after-tax contributions of $2,000 per year for each child until age 18.

• Contributions and their subsequent earnings are tax-free when withdrawn to pay for qualified secondary and post-secondary education expenses

What are its characteristics?• Money is invested after-tax, and earning grow tax-

free if used for qualified education expenses

The Education IRA (continued)

Advantages• Earnings are tax free if used for qualified

educational expenses

• Leftover amounts may be rolled over into accounts for siblings

Disadvantages• Savings must be withdrawn by the time the child

reaches age 30

• You cannot take a Hope Credit the same year you draw money from your Education IRA

• Contributions phase out at $150,000 for joint filers

Summary of Traditional versus Roth  Traditional IRA Roth IRA

Tax-deductible Contribution

Yes No

Maximum total annual contribution to all IRA programs

$4,000 or 10% of earned income. Maximum contribution for a married couple is $8,000 or $4,000 each in 2005

$4,000 or 10% of earned income. Maximum contribution for a married couple is $8,000 or $4,000 each in 2005

Eligibility Must be under age 70 1/2 and have earned income

any ages with earning income not exceeding AGI limits

Spousal IRA's Deductibility is subject to AGI limits. Contributions from non-earning spouses are based on earnings of employed spouse, up to $4,000.

Nondeductible. Subject to AGI limits. Contributions from non-earning spouses are based on earnings of employed spouse, up to $4,000.

Tax-deferred growth Yes Yes

Tax-free Withdrawals No Yes

Age to begin required minimum distributions

70 1/2 None

Tax penalty for withdrawals

Withdrawals are subject to 10% penalty tax before age 59 1/2 unless for first-time home purchase, deductible medical expenses, or for death or disability.

If funds are held for a minimum of 5 years, withdrawals of earnings before age 59 1/2 are subject to a 10% penalty and income tax unless for death or disability.

B. Know when a Converting to a Roth Makes Sense

Converting to a Roth IRA may be a smart choice for you if:• You think your tax bracket will stay the same or go

up after you retire

• You plan to wait at least five years before withdrawing money

• You can pay the taxes from other savings

• It won’t move you into a higher tax bracket in the year you convert

• You want to avoid a required minimum distribution from your retirement savings

Roth Conversion (continued)

Can convert Traditional IRA to Roth IRA• If AGI is less than $100,000 (single or married)

• You pay taxes on traditional IRA & then move funds to Roth IRA

• The money accumulates tax free:

• 5 year rule applies

• Age 59 ½ rule applies

Direct transfer is the most simple and safest way to convert

60 day roll-over rule• Taxes are withheld when you receive distribution

• You will have to replace withheld money with other funds

• 10% early withdrawal penalty applies if you use IRA funds to pay income taxes at conversion

Roth Conversion (continued)

Questions

Any questions on converting to a Roth?

C. Understand Retirement Plans for the Self-Employed and Small Businesses

Are there retirement plans for self-employed and small businesses?

• Yes. Do they have the similar tax advantages?

• Yes. And some are even better Can you contribute to these even if you have another

retirement plan through another employer?

• Yes. If you are self-employed either full- or part-time, or work for a small business, you can contribute to a simplified employee pension (SEP-IRA), a Keogh, or a new savings incentive match plan for employees (SIMPLE) plan.

Small Business Retirement Plans

Two Categories:• 1. Plans funded by the small business employer:

• Simplified Employee Plan Individual Retirement Account (SEP-IRA)

• Keogh Plan

• 2. Plans funded by both the small business employer and the employee

• Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE-IRA)

1. Plans Funded by the Employer

What is a SEP-IRA?• An Individual Retirement Account which allows a

small business employer to contribute to the retirement of the employees

What are the characteristics of the SEP-IRA?

• Employer contributes to employees with the same percentage to all eligible employees, and no required annual contribution

• Can contribute 25% of salary or up to $40,000

• Contributions tax deductible and earnings grow tax-deferred

• Employees may have multiple retirement accounts, i.e. a 401(k), a Roth IRA, and a SEP-IRA

The SEP-IRA (continued)

Advantages• Easiest to setup and maintain• No annual filings• Annual contributions larger than IRAs• Most attractive for businesses with few or no

employees

Disadvantages • Cannot borrow against a SEP-IRA• Contributions vary depending on the employer• Distributions before 59 ½ incur a 10% penalty for

early withdrawal plus taxes at your marginal rate

The Keogh Plan

What is a Keogh Plan?• A small business retirement plan which allows

employers to make tax-deductible payments to employee retirement plans, similar to corporate pension or profit-sharing plans. It can be profit sharing, money purchase, or a paired plan

What are the characteristics of a Keogh Plan?• Can set apart 20%, up to $40,000 per year in 2004?

• Employers give the same percentage to each eligible employee

• Contributions are tax deductible and earnings grow tax-deferred

Keogh Plan (continued)

Advantages: • Higher contribution maximums• Preferred by high-income individuals who have

postponed saving• Good if in catch-up mode

Disadvantages:• More administrative work• Can not borrow against Keogh if solo• Keogh must be established by Dec. 31st of each

year

2. Plans Funded by the Employer and Employee

What is a SIMPLE-IRA?• A small business retirement plan that provides some

matching funds by the employer, similar to the matching of a 401(k) Plan

What are the characteristics of a SIMPLE-IRA? • Employees can have no other qualified plan, and can

contribute up to 100% of compensation to a max of $10,000 per year (2005).

• Contributions are tax deferred and grow tax-free

• There is a penalty for early withdrawal

• The employer is “required” to contribute and match, usually 1-3%

SIMPLE IRA

SIMPLE Plan contribution limits have been increased as follows:

SIMPLE

Year Contribution Limit Catch up*

2003 $8,000 $1,000

2004 9,000 1,500

2005 10,000 2,000

2006 Indexed 2,500

* Catch-up contributions increases for those over age 50

SIMPLE IRA (continued)

Advantages:• Employees can participate

• Tax deductible contribution

• Easy to set up and administer (compared with 401(k))

Disadvantages:• Limited employee contribution--$10,000 per year

• Money withdrawn within two years incurs a 25% penalty

• There is a 10% penalty if money is withdrawn before 59 ½, plus regular income taxes as well

Review of Objectives

A. Do you understand retirement plans for the self-employed and small businesses?

B. Do you understand Individual Retirement Accounts?

C. Do you understand when converting to a Roth IRA makes sense?